Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

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henrytm82
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Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#1

Post by henrytm82 »

I started out asking questions in the tech support area, and I've now started in earnest on my first project bike. It's a lot larger than anything I've been on before, but I feel confident that I can get used to it! My wife has an '03 Honda Rebel, which is what we've both been learning and practicing on, but I'm a big guy and it's honestly small to the point of feeling awkward when I'm on it, so I wanted something bigger. After some looking around, I found a guy in my town selling an '81 GL1100 for $1,000. I gave him $900 for it, based on the dirt, flaked and faded paint, and the front brake caliper needs looked at (he claims it seizes up if it isn't ridden for around six weeks, which concerns me). He also didn't have documentation for when the last time the belt was changed (he's owned it seven years and says he's never changed it) so I need to have that done. It fires right up with no complaint, and sounds great, so I feel like I got a decent deal. With a little cleaning and TLC, I think I'll have a great bike on my hands!

It started out with a full Vetter kit on it - enormous front fairing and windshield, huge, plastic saddle bags, and a huge trunk box, along with all the heavy and awkward bars, brackets, and plates that come with it. After a few hours in the garage, all that crap is finally off of it, and it's starting to look like a bike again. It looks like I got lucky, and whoever put the Vetter kit on didn't destroy the headlight bracket, which I've read seems to be a common complaint. The wiring looks like a nightmare, though. That's the next step on my journey - I need to order a new headlight and front turn signals. I also removed the seat so I can take some padding out of it to lower it - while I wanted a larger bike, this one is proving to be just a touch too tall, which makes it awkward to move it around when I'm sitting on it. I think my tall boots, lowering the seat, and maybe even lowering the suspension a bit (the owner's manual says it'll ride a bit lower and smoother if I lower the air pressure to around the 2.5 mark) will do the trick. I really just need a couple extra inches of leg to be able to walk the bike around comfortably.

So that's where I am as of today - all the junk is off of it, the wiring needs to be sorted out and new lights put on the front, the seat needs to be lowered. She's getting there!
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henrytm82
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

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Post by henrytm82 »

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TNTbefree
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#3

Post by TNTbefree »

Can that vetter headlight be removed and used? If you do order a new headlight, do not buy the "new" one from ebay. It is a piece of junk. I would find an oem bucket with headlight in it. The turn signal pegs have been taken off the headlight ears. May have to take them off and see about bolting a set on or have new pegs welded on. Also, you can pull the forks up an inch (or a smidge more) out of the tree and that could lower it enough for you. Good luck. Keep us posted
henrytm82
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#4

Post by henrytm82 »

See, I wasn't sure about the blinkers. Now that I've got the fairing off and I can plainly see what I'm working with, I can see the brackets where the blinker ears would have been (and they've clearly been grinded off, as you said they probably were in the other thread). But the brackets still have bolt holes in them - can I not just attach blinkers to the brackets with those bolt holes? I've been looking at pictures of how people have replaced blinkers, and in a lot of them, it looks like that's exactly what they did - and in some cases, it appears that the blinkers attach directly to the headlight using the same ears that hold the headlight in place (it almost looks like the blinkers themselves are the bolts that hold the headlight on). I'm pretty new to this, so I readily admit I don't know exactly what I'm talking about, just what I *think* I've observed and gotten ideas from.

EDIT: Also, a question about cleaning the bike. This thing is positively filthy, and is going to need quite a bit of cleaning and detailing to look pretty again. How dangerous is it to use a pressure washer around the motor? Is there a danger of me getting water where it shouldn't be? Does anyone have a suggestion for a better way to clean it up, or a preferred product for cleaning the chrome and body works? Am I being ridiculous and just need to go at it with a rag and a bottle of Armor-All?
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#5

Post by Track T 2411 »

Looks like you've got a good solid bike to start with! The wiring doesn't look too badly botched, either. I've seen lots worse. Check out the ShopTalk page for a nice downloadable color wiring diagram that will come in very handy. There's also a very nice 'New2U' writeup there that might get you pointed in the right direction. As far as the blinkers goes, if you're going with something aftermarket, there are numerous ways to mount them. It all depends on the look you're after. Enjoy the ride!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
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henrytm82
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

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Post by henrytm82 »

Track T 2411 wrote:Check out the ShopTalk page for a nice downloadable color wiring diagram that will come in very handy.
Oh, that's perfect. Thanks, I'll do that!
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#7

Post by desertrefugee »

Nice project. Not sure I'd recommend a pressure washer, but a good degreaser (like Royal Purple or similar) liberally applied, some elbow grease with a toothbrush and rags followed by garden hose spray nozzle will get you in the direction of goodness.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
henrytm82
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

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Post by henrytm82 »

A garden hose with a spray nozzle I can do - mostly I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't going to do something stupid like flood some engine component because I didn't ask questions. I'm a fan of *sounding* stupid first, and avoiding *looking* stupid later :)
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#9

Post by chewy999 »

As you already know, change those belts before you do to much more.

Your bike doesn't look to bad, just years of dirt and dust, but I agree about not using a pressure washer. You never know if the water penetrates seals and bearings until it's to late. Also glad to see the fairing and boxes coming off.

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Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
henrytm82
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#10

Post by henrytm82 »

Still working on this bike. I got it all cleaned up, and it looks great when it's not filthy and covered in fairing. I wasn't too confident in my own ability to take care of the mechanical stuff myself and not mess something up, so I took it to a shop in town to have it looked over and get an estimate for what I thought were simple, standard things.

I asked them to give me a quote for, among other things, changing out the belts. They're claiming $1000 for the job, of which $750 alone is labor at $75/hour. That can't be right. He's claiming that to change the belts out, he's got to drain the fluids from the motor, change out a bunch of gaskets and O-rings, change the filters (since he's doing a fluid change) and that, basically, it's going to be an expensive monster of a job.

Nothing I've read on any of these forums has given me the impression that changing the belts is *that* involved. Am I missing something? Is he? Does that sound like a standard, reasonable rate to be charged for changing out the belts? We *are* talking about the timing belts up at the front of the bike, right? Is there some other belt I'm not aware of?
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#11

Post by 5speed »

he's taking you to the cleaners..or trying to.
to make changing them easier you need to remove the radiator. That is a 20 minute job max.
You obviously need to drain the cooling system to do that but new coolant is always a good thing.
there is an o ring between the cover and housing on the lower rad hose you will need to replace.
I've never worked on bikes before and I've changed the belts on my 76 and 82 successfully.
This site is full of great "how to" advice and there is no better way to get acquianted with how your bike works then to tear it apart.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
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1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#12

Post by gltriker »

henrytm82 wrote:Still working on this bike. I got it all cleaned up, and it looks great when it's not filthy and covered in fairing. I wasn't too confident in my own ability to take care of the mechanical stuff myself and not mess something up, so I took it to a shop in town to have it looked over and get an estimate for what I thought were simple, standard things.

I asked them to give me a quote for, among other things, changing out the belts. They're claiming $1000 for the job, of which $750 alone is labor at $75/hour. That can't be right. He's claiming that to change the belts out, he's got to drain the fluids from the motor, change out a bunch of gaskets and O-rings, change the filters (since he's doing a fluid change) and that, basically, it's going to be an expensive monster of a job.

Nothing I've read on any of these forums has given me the impression that changing the belts is *that* involved. Am I missing something? Is he? Does that sound like a standard, reasonable rate to be charged for changing out the belts? We *are* talking about the timing belts up at the front of the bike, right? Is there some other belt I'm not aware of?
Perhaps, If you let this outrageously brazen robber put his paws on your bike, his bulging money belt? ;)
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

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henrytm82
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#13

Post by henrytm82 »

That's what I thought. I paid the $75 fee for having him look it over and give me his estimate, but I wasn't about to just let him charge me over $1000 before confirming that that was the standard. I thought it sounded a little high, so I just brought it home and put it back in the garage. I'll be reading through the guides in the Shop Talk section to get familiar with it and see if I can just do this on my own. It makes me nervous, because I always prefer to let professionals handle the stuff that could turn my vehicles into expensive paperweights, but I'm also not interested in paying through the nose for something that should be relatively simple and common.
Perhaps, If you let this outrageously brazen robber put his paws on your bike, his bulging money belt?
:lol:
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#14

Post by 5speed »

if you follow the steps out lined in shop talk you won't have any problems. There are marks on the cam pulleys and block so you will know if you have things aligned correctly. Plus like I did, you can roll the engine over slowly with a wrench to make sure the valves leave the pistons alone.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Re: Working on my new-to-me '81 Goldwing GL1100

#15

Post by gltriker »

There's always a bunch of early GL timing belt replacement videos playing in the YouTube theater closest to you, too.
Last edited by gltriker on Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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